He turned to Tzipi, his smile widening. "We'll just wait till the boat docks. Do the pop-up right there in the terminal. The press gauntlet will go wild for it, Kara—they've been out in the cold all night. And ChaiCycle’s the perfect pick-me-up for all the folks on board at two o’clock who need a little boost. Photos, samples, the works. Sound good?"
Jonah stepped forward. “Ms. Koff’s schedule is pretty tight after we dock. Not sure she’ll have time for —”
“Her bodyguard doesn’t set her schedule.” Rob’s smile didn’t waver. “Do ya, bub?”
Jonah didn’t stand down. He gazed over Robby’s head at her. “Just making sure she knows all her options.”
“She’s already made her choice.” Rob tapped his back. “Got it in writing.”
Tzipi felt the walls closing in.
Countless more minutes of smiling for fans while knowing that the second she stepped off this boat, Rob would be waiting with his banner and his samples and his cameras, ready to cement "Kara Koff for ChaiCycle" into the public record?
She didn’t think she could handle it.
"Being sued for breach of contract by a fellow actor..." Rob’s tone turned concerned, like he was doing her a favor by pointing this out. "Not good optics."
Her eyes found Jonah again.
He was already moving, touching his earpiece, his expression grim. He'd heard. He understood.
Get me out of that, she thought desperately. Please.
Hannon swayed over, cologne arriving three seconds before he did. "ChaiCycle? What's that? Can I be in on it, too?"
He swiped a pack out of Rob’s hand.
"Do I have to drink it?" Hannon squinted at a sample packet. "You know I don't trust hot beverages, KK. Especially something with spices? Yuck. Like drinking a Yankee Candle."
Robby laughed. "No, it's chai tea in pill form. Call me. We’ll talk.” He thrust a business card at him.
But Hannon was already stumbling, cape catching on a lighting stand. He was on his way to being too drunk to do the meet and greet—possibly too drunk to stand upright.
But not drunk enough to miss what Tzipi was still wearing – Kara’s dress.
"You gotta wear the catsuit, Vanta. Your ass is such a money-maker in it."
"Nope," she said lightly, trying to brush past him. "Not gonna happen. Not until the real press junket."
Hannon moved to block her path. She tried to sidestep, but he made some kind of grope-push against her and leered.
"I've got your press junket right here."
Jonah moved without thinking.
"Touch her again and I'll kick your ass."
Hannon turned, swaying slightly. His eyes were bloodshot, pupils blown. "Seriously, mall cop? Who do you think you are?"
"I'm her bodyguard, numb-nuts."
Holy shit.
Committed to the bit now.
Jonah stepped up, toe-to-toe with the guy who played Radian Prime. Funny, superheroes always looked bigger on the screen.
The guy worked his jaw and his gum a little harder. Incredibly, he seemed a bit more sober suddenly. "Tell your guard dog to stand down, KK."
